Moving is a big decision- especially if you are moving cross country. There are so many things that can bring stress with such a move, but choosing the right mover does not have to be one of them.
You should get estimates from two or three companies before making the final decision on who you are going to trust to move you across the country. Of course, before you start calling companies and asking questions, you should ask friends and family who they would recommend to make your cross country move easier.
Questions to Ask Before Receiving a Quote
- How long will it take to get my things from my current home to my new home? Keep in mind that a cross country move can take several days to several weeks.
- Do you offer other services such as packing/unpacking and loading/unloading the trucks? Most of the time, moving companies will load/unload the truck as part of the package. However, packing/unpacking will generally fall to you unless you are willing to pay extra.
- What are your Department of Transportation or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registration numbers? Interstate movers should be registered with both.
- Are rates based upon weight, distance or a combination of both? In most cases, interstate movers will charge based upon a combination of both distance and weight.
- Are your movers employees of the company or subcontractors? If they hire subcontractors as movers, get the name of that company so that you can check them out as well.
- Are there any additional fees related to moving? Typically, companies charge additional fees for items that need to be crated for protection (ie. flatscreen TVs, artwork, glass table tops, etc.), to disconnect and reconnect appliances, if they must walk more than a certain distance to get from your home to the truck or if there is not easy access to either location.
- Will the move be direct or will transfers be involved? Transferring your belongings from one truck to another will increase the risk of damage. If at all possible, you want to choose a mover that moves direct from your current home to your new one.
- Do you offer insurance coverage? Most companies do offer insurance coverage on your items. However, this is generally based on weight, not on value, so you will need to do your homework and decide if you need to purchase additional insurance protection for high value items.
- Do you have any unresolved complaints against you? In addition to asking them this, you may want to go online and check the Better Business Bureau. Most reputable companies will give you this information without too much hassle.
Moving cross country is a very exciting thing, whether you are moving for your job or just because you want to. Choosing the right moving company does not have to be stressful.